my 96 explorer will crank when i turn the key but will not start.
about a week ago i started it and then it died as i was backing out of a parking space, it then started again but sounded bad and then while driving it died again about two minutes later while driving through a parking lot. after i drove home the explorer was fine for about aweek but now will not start at all.

i checked all the fuses and the fuel pump shutoff button. I think maybe its the actual fuel pump, eec, or iac

any suggestions before i take it to the shop?

 

sounds like the fuel pump is probably the problem

 

I agree it may be the fuel pump. I was recently having this same problem and it was the fuel pump. The only problem is the mechanic had problems with getting the correct part and installing it. It still seem to have the same problem. I wondered if it was a recall issue.

 

may also be a crank shaft position sensor.

 

I'm currious...were you able to solve the problem? I am having the same problem with my 1996 explorer.

 

does the 96 have the fuel shutoff safety switch? happend on my van i used to have, and it was a light smack to the fender.(didnt leave a dent) all i had to do was push the reset. that was after getting towed and replacing the fuel filter.....

 

Having a fuel pump problem i think. the car will start no problem , then you will go out to start it and all it will do is turn over. have ck the button on the pass side it is ok. can let it sit a day or 2 and go to crank it up no problem. any idea wt this could b... have replaced the relay switch too... think it is like a month maybe more it will run fine,, and then it will act up... thanks renee

 

Does the no start condition happen hot or cold ?

 

beleve it to b cold. the last time was over a month ago when it did this..

 

When something like this is so infrequent with luck with the right test equipment it might show up and be found. Otherwise the only other approach is to start replacing parts one at a time and even then it may be a poor connection that could have been corrected by just unplugging a component and installing the replacement when the component itself may not even have been faulty. Things contract when they get cold and it might even pay to just unplug and plug in some components and see if that has any effect.